Shloka 2.66.20

अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death

Devanagari script

स हि नाथस्सदास्माकं तव च प्रभुरात्मवान्।वनं रामो गतश्श्रीमान्विहाय नृपतिश्रियम्।।।।

Transliteration

sa hi nāthaḥ sadāsmākaṃ tava ca prabhur ātmavān |

vanaṃ rāmo gataḥ śrīmān vihāya nṛpatiśriyam ||

Translation

For Rāma—ever our protector and yours as well, self-possessed and noble—has indeed gone to the forest, abandoning the splendor of kingship.

Context

Rama, who was always our and your self-possessed master and protector has gone to the forest, indeed, abandoning royal wealth.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• forest (vana)
• royal splendor/kingship (nṛpatiśrī)
• Kausalyā (implicit speaker)
• Kaikeyī (addressee)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Rāma’s renunciation of royal splendor for the sake of obeying a pledged word exemplifies dharma grounded in satya—truthfulness and fidelity to vows, even at personal cost.

What is the narrative situation?

Kausalyā speaks to Kaikeyī after Daśaratha’s death, pointing out that Rāma—the true protector—has been sent to the forest, leaving the palace bereft.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s ātmavatva (self-mastery) and tyāga (renunciation), presented as the hallmark of maryādā-puruṣottama conduct.